Apparatus for passing cleaner fluid through fabrics



Feb. 19, 1952 R. K. SEDGWICK APPARATUS FOR PASSING CLEANER FLUID THROUGH FABRICS Filed June 21, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Feb. 19, 1952 R. K. SEDGWICK APPARATUS FOR PASSING CLEANER FLUID THROUGH FABRICS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2' Filed June 21, 1947 INVENTORQ Foiezi fieqrvjcl Patented F eb. 19, 1952 ABPARATUSIFORPASSINGQLEANERELUID ."IH OI FABRI S Robert :K. 'isedgwick, Chicago, ;IlI., iassignor ito American istee iE nnd i s,zfili eaaos llu a ne :finration of- New-Jersey fi plicationgaune 21, 1947,;aseria1 No.-7;56 ;239

, I "This invention relates to the dry cleaningiof 'iabrics and more particularly to a novelpmeans lior cleaning fabrics by 'forcing cleaner fluid therethrough.

A general objectof the invention is to effect turbulence in the cleaner fluid by forcing the same through the fabric thereby :afiording adequate agitation to accommodate :penetration of the innermost threads of 'the fabric.

{Another object of:the invention is to provide a novel means for removing spots and stains from fabrics without hand scrubbing thereof.

:Still another object of the "invention is to reducefumes and odors in the cleaning-zone by substantially eliminating such fumes and 1 odors at -the point of contact between the fabric' and .the cleaner fluid.

A further object-ofthe invention is to provide automatic reclamation of the cleaner fluid which in conventionalhand spotting evaporatesand is lost. 7

"The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention-will'become apparentfrom aconsideration of the followin :specification and the accompanying r drawings, wherein:

'--Figure 1' is a side :viewot apreferred-"embodiment of a 1 novel machine utilized 'in the-practice of myr-invention, portions of the machine being broken away in vertical section to disclose the internal-construction thereof;

Figure 2' is a front elevational: view' of the -machine shown in Figure 1 -Flgure :3 'is a view taken on='theline33-of Figure 1 with portions of t-he-machine broken :away I in vertical section to illustrate :the hinged mounting for the pressure pipe of:-the;machine;

:;Figure 4 is. a.v sectional view taken: on the rline 4-4 ofZFigure 1;

alfigure'b an :enlarged ifragmentary rview, partly in wertical section,.-of :the :pressure and vacuum pipes showing the portions -.;thereof adapted :to engage the fabric :tobe cleaned sand Figure 6 is a sectional view ;tal;en"on*the; 1ine S-B of Figure 5.

Describing the invention indetailandmefervring firstto Figures 1 and -2,- ,the novelvme hseen in Fi ureB, isa soip ovidedi-with a.-h. 2

supported by a pivot pin J both of; thepins fi and 1: beingsupported by the; frame. or housing a onthe chine. JIhe. lever 0111s. rpivotally; connected to a pushirod .114, the lowerendeof which is i-connected to a zbellx cranki lever l,fi.;comprising a lever arm I1ipivotedtto.:the-rod.li4,anda lever arm 26 extending outwardly through 3,5510; :22

in :the frame 8 for actuation by .a foot'pedal 24; The belllcrank alfiralsmcomprises a hub J8 integralxwithmhe arms 1|] andlfl and pivotally mounted on frameesupported; pin 1 i9. Aspring 2e-reactingagainst aiseatiimpnthe rod Mend against a seat :30 von .the :frame 8 is, adapted ;t o yieldingly lurge ithe pressure :pipe 44 :to its open position::shown in-:.the.drawings. v e

"The pressure pipe 4 :is connected ,;to .a; flexible tube -or.-line: 32 l-Figure 1.) which is conneoted to 'the discharge siderof a-pump -..3A, ,the. suction side of'whichziseconnected' by a;pipe 36 to;,a tank'or reservoir 13.8 containing any; suitable dry.;c1eaner 'fluidgsuchas, "for example cleaners naphthazDr carbon tetrachloride.

-a'I-he pump 434 z is driven by a a motor A0 :which also actuates1.a;blower:"42, the discharge pipe :44

of -which-iseadaptedzto bGTGOQHBCtGdtouan associate'dstack :(not shown). 'The-suction'sidelof the blower 42 is connected to a suctionoroutlet pipe. 46:of a condenser, generallydesignatedAB.

The condenserincludes a-n inner chamberrfillzconnected to ,an :inlet :pipe '5 l communicating with the wank- 38 above :the level of the ;.dry cleaner fluid therein. Theecondenser Atalsocom-prises an outer chamber .152 connected. by qradial -por ts 54- :tothe inner. chamberizfio whieh contains baffle p1ates'- 56' and :a coolanti coil 58 having, inlet andgoutlet=connections16iland 52 to afford circulation for acoolant,:such;as water, therethrough. Thus vaporized fluid {flowing athrough .;the L,condenser 48 is swirled through the inner chamber 5!] from'the :inlet pipe .a5l which is .connected tangentially thereto and the vaporized riluid -is condensedl-and collected in the outer chamber 52 by centrifugal rseparation .ithrough the ports .54, :aSiWiH .be readily-cunderstood rthoseskflled in :the =;art.. ":rhe con ensedzfluid then pas e through :a:1; tum lin J54 to;.,t.h .1; 5 3- 1 enters-condense we i azfilleusip $56 :t mush :W imfiuid :is .dmittes to the syste th i ank 'be ne-.: r. vi edith a drain-.tpip tfil; qui p drwith-.aconvmiionahd va ve 25 11: re omm da dr nin :Q J'Jl t Pm iromv' h rsy tem- I 1ma lb no detha zth r nqriqmnie hand h, ;.;ce den e :i le -rip 1 emm ,cat swl hi the .;.ta;nk 3.8 -above a 1 ing of the trap door 18 in response to force exerted thereagainst by the cleaner fluid passing through the suction pipe 2, as hereinafter more fully described in connection with the operation of the machine. The partition 68 is also provided with one or more ports H to accommodate release of vapors formed within the tank 38.

Referring now to Figure 5, it will beseen that the suction pipe 2 is provided with a strainer i2 and the pressure pipe 4 is provided with an end wall 16 having ports 18 adapted to be opened and closed by a, ring valve 80 and a perforated trip plate 82 mounted within an annular gasket 84 secured in any convenient manner to the end of the pressure pipe 4. Thus as the pressure pipe 4 is urged downward in response to actuation of the foot pedal 24, the gasket 84 engages the associated fabric (not shown) around the outer perimeter of the strainer 12 to afford a seal therearound, and the perforated trip plate opens the valve 82 to admit flow of the cleaner fluid through the ports 18, the fabric, and the strainer 12 into the suction pipe 2.

It may be noted, as best seen in Figure 6, that the ring valve 88 comprises a pair of spaced concentric inner and outer rings 8 and 88 connected by a pair of integrally formed bridges 30 adapted to secure the rings 88 and 88 in proper spaced relationship and also adapted to position the ring valve 80 within the pressure pipe 4.

The machine is started in operation by actuation of the motor 48 by means of an associated switch (not shown). The pump maintains pressure in the pressure pipe 4 which is closed by the valve 80, while the blower 42 draws a continuous stream of air through the suction pipe 2 and the condenser inlet pipe 51 through the condenser 48 and outwardly through the pipe 46 into the stack pipe 44. It may be noted that the air passing through the tank 38 between the pipes 2 and spreads out above the partition 68 and thus there is no appreciable air turbulence over the fluid within the tank to cause substantial evaporation.

The fabric is cleaned by placing the same on the strainer and then actuating the foot pedal 24 to urge the pressure pipe downwardly,'thereby actuating the valve 80 to its open position as the trip plate 82 engages the fabric. Under these conditions, the cleaner fluid in the pressure pipe 4 flows through the fabric dissolving all soluble foreign matter, dislodging solid material, and washing the residue down into the suction pipe. The washings are dropped into the tank'38 and accumulate on the trap door 18 or the partition 68.

It will be understood that as the fluid, flows through the cloth, an extremely turbulent flow is produced by passage of the fluid through the fibers of the fabric thereby afiording adequate agitation to accommodate penetration of the fluid to the innermost fibers. This action results in an extremely efficient removal of all soluble spots and stains in the fabric without the necessity of hand scrubbing, such as is commonly utilized in a cleaning operation of this type.

When the operator releases the foot pedal 24, the pressure pipe 4 is urged by the spring 26 to open position, whereupon the valve 80 is urged to its closed position, and flow of the cleaning fluid ceases. Air is immediately drawn through the fabric to dry it, whereupon the fabric is removed from the strainer 12 accelerating downward movement of the slug of cleaner fluid within the pipe 2 whereupon the fluid entering the tank 38 actuates the trap door 10 and plunges downwardly into the fluid at the bottom of the tank. The trap door immediately closes and air flow is re-established above the door drawing fumes within the tank 38 and in the region of the strainer '12 through the condenser. During and subsequent to a cleaning operation, such as above-described, all vapor laden air is drawn through the suction pipe 2 and the condenser 48 thereby ensuring substantial elimination of all fumes and odors in the region of the machine. The condensed fluid is thus reclaimed and drained through the line 64 to the tank.

It may be noted that the illustrated embodiment of the invention is in the form of an isolated. machine, and the tank 38, as above described, is provided with a flller pipe 86 and a drain pipe 67 so that contaminated liquid may be drained and replaced periodically. However, it will be understood that in large installations wherein a plurality of the machines are utilized, the tank 38 may be piped to a central reclamation machine (not shown), and a conventional float valve mechanism may be used to maintain a constant amount of cleaning fluid in the tank 38.

As in conventional dry cleaning machines, an explosion proof motor 40 and back fire traps (not shown) on both the exhaust and filler pipes 44 and 66 are necessary to eliminate hazard in operation of the machine where inflammable fluid is utilized.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: 3

1. Dry cleaner apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain dry cleaner fluid, a condenser comprising a vapor receiving chamber and another chamber communicating with and adapted to receive condensed vapor from said vapor chamber, a conduit adapted to convey condensed vapor from said other chamber to said tank, an inlet conduit connected to said vapor chamber and connected to said tank above the level of said fluid, a blower, an outlet conduit connected to said vapor chamber and to the suction side of said blower, a suction line connected to said tank above the level of said fluid and having an extremity communicating with the atmosphere, a fluid supply line having an extremity terminating adjacent the extremity of said suction line. and pump means for conveying fluid from said tank to said supply line, one of said lines being movable relative to the other for bringing said extremities into communication with each other through an associated fluid permeable fabric to be cleaned by passage of fluid therethrough, a partition in said tank spacing the upper level of said fluid from the connections of said inlet conduit and said suction line to said tank, and a downwardly opening trap door in said partition beneath the connection of said suction line to said tank, said trap door being adapted to be opened by fluid flowing from said suction line, and yielding means for holding said door in its closed position until opened by the force of said fluid flowing from said suction line.

2. Dry cleaner apparatus comprising a tank adapted to contain dry cleaner fluid, a condenser, an inlet conduit connected to said condenser and to said tank above the level of said fluid, a blower, an outlet line connected to said condenser and to the suction side of said blower, means for delivering condensed fluid from the condenser to the tank, a suction line connected to said tank above the level of said fluid and having an extremity communicating with the atmosphere, a fluid supply line having an extremity terminating adjacent the extremity of said suction line, and pump means for conveying fluid from said tank to said supply line, one of said lines being movable relative to the other for bringing said extremities'into communication with each other through an associated fluid permeable fabric to be cleaned by passage of fluid therethrough.

3. A dry cleaning machine comprising a line connected to an associated source of dry cleaner fluid, a vacuum line connected to an associated source of vacuum, means for moving the lines to the closed position thereof whereat they are in communication and for moving the lines to the open position thereof whereat they are out of communication, valve'means responsive to pressure in said first-mentioned line, for automatically closing the same, and means engageable with said valve means for operating the latter automatically upon movement of said lines to closed position.

4. A dry cleaning machine comprising a fluid supply line, a source of dry cleaner fluid connected thereto, a vacuum line, a blower having its suction side connected to said vacuum line, means for connecting and disconnecting said lines by movement of the same toward and away from each other respectively, and normally closed valve means carried by one end of the supply line and having a closing area actuated by the pressure in the supply line to close said valve means, and actuating means carried by a corresponding end of the vacuum line for opening Said valve means to accommodate the flow of fluid through said lines when the lines are connected.

5. A dry cleaning machine comprising a blower, a reservoir connected to the suction side of said blower, a suction line connected to said reservoir, a supply of dry cleaner fluid in said reservoir beneath the level of its connections to said suction line and to said blower, a fluid supply line, means for forcing fluid from said reservoir into said supply line, and one-way valve means within the reservoir associated with the suction line for accommodating flow of fluid therefrom into the reservoir, said lines having their extremities opening toward each other and adapted to receive associated fluid permeable fabric therebetween, and means for moving said extremities into and out of communication.

6. A dry cleaning machine comprising a pair of pipes having their extremities opening toward each other to receive an associated fluid permeable fabric therebetween, means operatively connected to at least one of said pipes for connecting and disconnecting said extremities, a blower, a tank connected to the suction side of said blower and connected to one of said pipes, a source of dry cleaner fluid connected to the other pipe, valve means carried by said other pipe and adapted to close in response to fluid pressure in said other pipe thereby cutting off flow of fluid therethrough when said pipes are disconnected, and cooperating means on said one pipe and said valve means for opening the latter when said pipes are connected.

7. Apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein valve means are provided in said supply line for opening and closing the same against flow of said 6 fluid therethrough, and saidsuction line is provided with means for automatically actuating said valve means to the open position thereof when said extremities are in communication with each other.

8. A dry cleaning machine comprising a conduit, means for forcing cleaner fluid therethrough, a readily separable connection in said conduit, means for opening and closing said connection to accommodate insertion and removal of associated fluid permeable material to be cleaned by fluid forced through said conduit, flow control means responsive to opening of said connection for automatically terminating flow of fluid thereto, and-means responsive to closing of said connection for automatically rendering said flow control means ineffective.

9. Cleaner apparatus comprising a pair of pipes adapted to receive fluid permeable material therebetween, a source of cleaner fluid connected to one of the pipes, said one pipe comprising valve means including a port and a valve member having an area adapted to be acted upon by fluid pressure in said one pipe to urge said valve member to closed position with respect to said port, a flexible gasket carried by said one pipe and adapted to seat against said material, and means carried by said gasket and operatively connected to said member for urging the latter to open position when said pipes are urged together thereby flexing said gasket against said material.

- 10. Cleaner apparatus comprising a pair of conduits adapted to receive fluid permeable material to be cleaned therebetween, a source of cleaner fluid connected to one of the conduits, said one conduit comprising valve means responsive to fluid pressure in said one conduit for cutting oif fluid therethrough, valve actuating means carried by said one conduit, and an abutment carried by the other conduit and engageable with said actuating means to operate the latter when said conduits are moved into communication with each other.

11. Cleaner apparatus comprising a reservoir containing cleaner fluid, a suction line connected to said reservoir and spaced from said fluid, a condenser having an inlet line connected to said reservoir and spaced from said fluid, said lines being in communication through said reservoir, a pressure line, pump means connected to the pressure line and to the fluid in said reservoir for forcing said fluid into said pressure line, gas blower means having a suction side connected to said condenser for drawing vaporized fluid therethrough from said inlet line, and means for returning condensed vapor from the condenser to the reservoir, said suction and pressure lines being relatively movable into and out of communication with each other to force said fluid through material to be cleaned between said suction and pressure lines.

12. Cleaner apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein valve means are provided between said suction line and said inlet line in said reservoir for accommodating now of cleaner fluid from said suction line into said reservoir and for restricting flow of cleaner fluid from said inlet line to said suction line.

13. Cleaner apparatus comprising a pair of conduits adapted to receive therebetween fluid permeable material to be cleaned, a source of cleaner fluid connected to one of the conduits, said one conduit comprising valve means for cutting oif flow of fluid therethrough, valve actuating means carried by said one conduit, and an abutment carried ,by the :other .conduit: .and ten- .gageable with said actuatingmeansto -.operate the. latter-for opening; said valvemeanswhen; said conduits. are .moved into communication with each other.

.14. Apparatus, of "the 'class described comprisingza reservoir .ofcleaner.fluid, axsuctionline eonnected to zsaidrreservoir above the level .ofthe fluid therein, .a .condenseruhaving an inlet line oonnectedto saidreservoir above-.thclevel-ofthe fiuid:.therein,;a gas, blower. having. its:suctiorrside connected.tothenondenser, acleaner fiuidsupply line. meansfor moving said suction .and;:supply lines together, to communicate through-an .associatedfluid :permeable ..,fabric :to be cleaned by flow of .said .fiuid .therethrough, and :means for pumping said fluid through .thesunply :line and thenceinto the-suction.line,- .the.outletisideof said blower being connected .to ;the. atmosphere ior dischargin v por :thereto.

;l-5..A dry cleaning machinecomprisingi-apair of;pipes. having their .extremitiesopening toward each-other to receive an'associated :fiuid ,permeable fabric therebetween, means operativelyaconr nectedto atleast one. of. said pipes .foriconnecting and-disconnecting said. extremities .thereof,;. a. gas.

blower, a .tankconnected .to the suction side. of said blower-.and-connectedto one of said pipes, a sourceof dry cleaner .fluid connected toithe other pipe, normally closed valve; means.carried;by:said other pipe to out off flow of fluid therethrough whensaid pipes are disconnected, andeooperatin means on said. one pipeand said valve, meansfor ropeningzthe latter vwhen.saidmipes .are. con. nected.

'16. Dry cleaner apparatus =comprising; a. -.tank adapted .to-eontain dry cleaner fluid, aicondenser, an .inleticonduit connected to saidcondenser-and tosaid tank above the level .ofssaid'fluid a blower, an outlet line nonnectedtosaid condenser and to.the-.-.suction side of.;said blower,.a suctionline connected to said tank above the level of said fluid and :having .an extremity communicating with the .atmosphere ia fiuidsupply line having an=extremity-terminating adjacentthe extremity of said suction line, and pump means for conveyin .fluid from said tank to, said supply .zline,

,, one of said lines-being movable relative to the other. for bringingisaidiextremities into communication with .each other through an associated fluid permeable fabric to hev cleaned by passage of fluid. therethrough.

.ROBERT K. SEDGWICK.

RSFERENCESv ECITED "lhe .following'references' are of record in "the file of thispa-tent:

UNITED STATES IIF'ATEI ITS 

